A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
The sons of Korah were a group of Levitical singers and musicians. Their ancestor, Korah, led a rebellion against Moses but his descendants were spared and later became prominent in temple worship. This background underscores themes of redemption and grace, as the descendants of a rebel became worship leaders. The Korahites contributed several psalms, emphasizing themes of God's sovereignty and the futility of trusting in wealth.

Hear this, all you peoples;
This call to attention is a common prophetic and wisdom literature device, urging the audience to listen carefully. It suggests the universal relevance of the message, transcending Israel to include all nations. This inclusivity points to the broader biblical theme of God's concern for all humanity, as seen in the Abrahamic promise that all nations would be blessed through his descendants.

listen, all inhabitants of the world,
The repetition of the call to listen emphasizes the importance of the message. The term "inhabitants of the world" broadens the scope to every person, regardless of nationality or status. This universality is echoed in the New Testament, where the gospel is proclaimed to all nations. It also foreshadows the eschatological vision in Revelation where people from every tribe and language worship God.

- Indicates the psalm was intended for public worship, under the direction of the temple music leader (cf. 1 Chronicles 15:22; Psalm 4:1).

- Shows God’s concern that truth be proclaimed not only privately but corporately, reminding us that what follows is meant for every gathering of God’s people (Psalm 95:1–2).

- Highlights the orderly, God-honoring pattern of worship the Lord established (1 Corinthians 14:40).

- The Korahite singers, spared by grace from their ancestor’s rebellion (Numbers 16:1–35; 26:10–11), testify that God redeems and re-commissions repentant sinners (Psalm 84 superscription).

- Their authorship underscores the seriousness of heeding divine instruction; they learned firsthand the danger of ignoring God’s voice (Deuteronomy 11:26–28).

- By attaching their name to the psalm, they invite worshipers to join them in humble obedience (Psalm 95:7–8).

- “Hear this” is a command, not a suggestion. God expects active listening (Isaiah 55:3; Matthew 11:15).

- “All you peoples” widens the audience beyond Israel, revealing God’s heart for the nations (Genesis 12:3; Psalm 67:2).

- The verse teaches that the moral and spiritual truths that follow apply universally—no culture, ethnicity, or time period is exempt (Acts 17:30).

- Listening to God safeguards us from the folly about to be exposed in the rest of the psalm (Proverbs 1:20–33).

- Repetition (“hear…listen”) stresses urgency; inattentiveness is dangerous (James 1:22–25).

- “All inhabitants of the world” confirms that God addresses the entire human family, echoing later New Testament calls to worldwide repentance and faith (Mark 16:15; Revelation 14:6).

- The Lord’s invitation is gracious: He warns before He judges (Amos 3:7).

- By calling everyone to attention, the psalm levels social distinctions; rich and poor alike must heed God’s wisdom (Psalm 49:2; Romans 2:11).

Psalm 49:1 opens with a universal summons: under established, God-ordained worship leadership, a redeemed choir calls every human being to pay careful attention to the Lord’s instruction. The verse asserts God’s right to speak to all people and our responsibility to listen. Refusal to heed His voice leads to the ruin detailed later in the psalm, while obedience leads to the life and security only He can provide.

World.--As in Psalm 17:14; properly, duration. (Comp. our expression, "the things of time.") . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...